Cross-lease properties

Every property has a 'primary' meter – the meter at the Council’s point of supply, generally at the street, which measures the total amount of water going into the property. In most instances this is the only meter for the property.

Cross-lease properties, and properties off a right-of-way (ROW), can also have check meters, to record individual household use. If your cross-lease or ROW property does not have a check meter, you can contact Council do discuss having one installed.

If each property on a cross lease has a check meter, the owners can determine individual usage that’s come through the primary meter. If the primary meter identifies a leak, the check meters can also help identify if the leak is on the common private supply pipe or within a private property.

If only one property has a check meter, that property will pay only for water they use, as measured by their check meter. The owners without a check meter will be charged an equal share of the remaining water volume, as measured through the primary meter. This can include any leaks on the common supply pipe.

Having a check meter installed

Council can install a check meter at your cost. You will need to:

provide written consent from the property owner
identify a suitable location on your private supply pipe to install the check meter (such as an existing toby)
ensure this location has 24/7 access (generally this means being outside buildings).

Council staff will need to check that the meter installation is economical, practical and feasible.

Updated 3 June 2025